DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard took a significant step toward his recovery from a broken right index finger Saturday, facing shots in practice for the first time since Feb. 2.

“The finger felt good, the rest of me felt awful,'' Howard said.

“I guess that comes with the territory after taking 10 days off with no shots. (The finger) felt good out there. Now let's see how it feels tomorrow and hopefully it keeps getting better.''

Howard said he hopes to play Friday at home against Nashville. Joey MacDonald will make his fourth start in a row Sunday at Joe Louis Arena against the Philadelphia Flyers (7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network), when the Red Wings attempt to win their 20th consecutive home game, which would tie an NHL record.

“There's no reason to rush back,'' Howard said. “Give it a couple more days to heal and allow me to get a couple of more practices under my belt, so I can get my game back to where it was.''

He said the pain is gone.

“After taking shots today, see how it feels tomorrow and getting back to where I was before, playing-wise,'' Howard said.

He will continue to play with a notch cut out of his stick.

“Hopefully, not for long, but I'm going to have to play a couple of games with it cut out like that,'' Howard said. “It helps me grab it, that way the finger's not sitting right on the stick. When it vibrates, the rest of my hand (feels it) except for the finger.''